DISPATCHES
May 2020
In these weird and, perhaps, not-so-wonderful times we are
all living through it’s important to remember those things that bring us
enjoyment and simple pleasure... Like... Toy Soldiers for instance!
So, in spite of all the ‘Gloom
‘n’ Doom’ on our TV’s and the Internet here’s a little ray of 1:30 scale,
all-metal, hand-painted sunshine... Enjoy!
1. BEING
RELEASED THIS MONTH...
A. ‘Cheers...
Ancient Egyptian Style’
Just
a couple of small add-ons for our AE series that bring an extra little dose of
joy and cause for celebration on the banks of the Nile...
AE080
‘The Female Brewer’
Building
Pyramids and other great monuments for the Pharaohs was thirsty work and the
workers needed something more than just plain water to slake their
thirst... Here a young woman is hard at work making a large jar of
locally brewed beer for the toiling workers. As you can see it’s hard work
toiling away under a blazing hot sun... hence the maiden’s minimal use of
clothing!
AE081
‘The Princess, The Maid & The Baby’
While
walking down to the Nile to enjoy a morning swim this young princess of the
Royal House and her Maid discover a wicker basket among the bulrushes...
Inside, a young baby.
Alas,
in those days, it was not uncommon for poor slaves and peasants to abandon
extra children or unwanted babes into the Nile in the hopes that they would
find a welcome or a refuge with wealthier Nile dwellers elsewhere.
The
biblical story of Moses being found in a basket by the Nile is probably the
most famous example.
AVAILABLE:
Late May
B. ‘BACK
TO BEERSHEBA’
One of K&C’s, biggest and most popular ‘Australians
at War’ series is the charge of the Australian Light Horse at
the Battle of Beersheba in 1917 in what was then Palestine during the
First World War.
The last couple of years has seen K&C put more emphasis
on ‘Aussies in Vietnam’ however we’ve not forgotten about this dynamic
range of mounted horsemen and we feel it’s time to add a few more...
AL106 ‘ALH Trooper Mounting Up’ (Black
Horse Version)
A Light Horse trooper grasps the saddle with both hands as
he prepares to hoist himself onto the back of his horse.
AL107 ‘ALH Officer Turning-in-the Saddle’
This great-looking mounted officer figure comes with the ‘turning-head’
feature which was first introduced with our ‘John Ford Cavalry’ range of
horsemen.
AL108 ‘ALH Trooper Mounting Up’ (Brown
Horse Version)
The same figure as AL106 but with a different colour horse to add a little variety.
AVAILABLE: Late May
C. ‘PER
MARE PER TERRAM’
The ROYAL MARINES are the UK’s Commando Force
and the Royal Navy’s own amphibious troops. Founded in 1664 they are one of the
world’s oldest and most elite fighting forces and optimise
Britain’s global military rapid response with the unique ability to handle a
wide spectrum of threats and security challenges.
Since their foundation the ‘Royals’ have seen action
in every corner of the world throughout the centuries, from the ‘Seven Years
War’ all the way up to the more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
During that time thy have formed close military ties with
other allied Marine forces, particularly the United States Marine Corps
and the Dutch Korps Mariners.
TRADITIONS &
UNIFORMS
The
Royal Marines have a long and proud history with many unique traditions. Their latin motto, ‘Per Mare Per Terram’
translates as ‘By Sea and By Land’.
This
aptly describes their capability to fight as well on land or at sea as the
situation demands.
The
Royal Marine cap badge shows a British Lion atop a royal crown sitting above a
globe of the world surrounded by a laurel wreath.
Their
distinctive dark blue ‘parade dress’, as shown on our new figures, is
usually worn with the ‘Wolseley’ pattern pith helmet.
All of these new K&C marines are carrying the older
L1A1 Self Loading Rifles with fixed bayonets which remained in British
military service from the late 1950’s up until the early 1980’s.
Before
I became K&C’s Co-founder and creative director, I was proud to serve as a Royal
Marine Commando from 1972-1977, hence my choice of rifle.
Shown
in this issue of ‘DISPATCHES’ is the first batch of ‘Bootnecks’
(the military nickname for a Royal Marine) on parade. More are in the
pipeline in the coming months time.
CE041 ‘Royal Marines Officer w/Sword’
This marching officer wears the open neck uniform jacket
with collar and tie along with ‘Sam Brown’ belt and accoutrements.
CE042
‘Royal Marines Officer w/Queen’s Colour’
This
officer carries the ‘Union Jack’ with the Corps battle honour ‘Gibraltar’ sitting above the Queen’s
crown and the Royal Marine crest and motto.
CE045
‘Royal Marines Sergeant’
Marching
Marine Sergeant with red sash and carrying the SLR with fixed bayonet.
CE046
‘Royal Marine Marching’
Regular
Marine in ‘dress blues’ and carrying his SLR with fixed bayonet.
CE059
‘Royal Marines Officer w/40 Commando Colour’
The
Royal Marines have three elite battalion-sized units which together form the 3rd
Commando Brigade. Our K&C officer carries the standard of 40 Commando,
the other two are 42 and 45 Commando.
CE-S01
‘Complete Commando Colour Party’
This
attractively-priced set includes 1 x RM Officer
w/Sword, 2 x RM Officer w/ Flags, 1 x RM Sergeant and 2 x Royal
Marines as escort to the Colours.
CE056
‘Coldstream Guards Officer w/ Regimental Flag’
A
magnificent figure of a Coldstream Officer carrying the maroon Regimental
Standard festooned with ‘Battle Honours’.
AVAILABLE:
Late May
D.
‘Onto the Streets of Old Hong Kong’
HK293G/M ‘The Fruit Seller Set’
A fresh and colourful alternative
version of an old SOHK favourite... Complete with ‘Hakka’
lady fruit merchant.
AVAILABLE: Late May
E. ‘Israeli
Recon Paras In Action’
While we await the arrival of the Israeli ‘Centurion’
here’s a little advance party of Israeli paratroopers leading the way.
IDF032 ‘The Recon Team’
A three-man group of IDF paratroopers cautiously move
forward while ‘scouting’ out the enemy. The Team Leader carries the
recently introduced AR15 Carbine while the other two Paras carry the
standard Israeli version of the FN 7.62 Self Loading Rifle.
A great (and useful) little 3-man set ready for
action... anywhere... any time!
AVAILABLE: Early May
F.
‘The Real West’
From battles in the Middle East during 1967 and ’73 to a
single battle in Eastern Montana in June 1876...
TRW163 ‘Morning Star’
One additional mounted Sioux warrior taking
part in the most momentous battle of the ‘Indian Wars’ in the years that
followed the end of the Civil War.
Another
dynamic and colourful addition to this ‘Battle of
the little Bighorn’ series.
AVAILABLE:
Late May
G. ‘The
Big Bang’
American artillery played a vital role in the U.S. effort in
South East Asia.... especially in defense of ‘firebases’ the length and
breadth of South Vietnam. Among the most utilized artillery pieces that
operated in the conflict was the venerable, WW2 era, 105mm Howitzer. Here is
K&C’s second version, the first was the recently-released
‘ANZAC 105’ set.
VN075 ‘The USMC Artillery 105mm Howitzer & Crew
Set’
That’s quite a mouthful... but then it’s also quite a set
too. The K&C ‘105’ comes with 4 x USMC Gunners to serve and
operate the gun.
The 105mm M10A1 Howitzer was an artillery piece that
began as the standard U.S. field howitzer of WW2. It also saw extensive
battlefield service in Korea and Vietnam with both the U.S. Army and the USMC
as well as with other Allied nations’ armies.
Our USMC version has 4 x Marines serving the gun and will
also have future extra ‘add-on’ sets to complete the gun in action.
VN077 ‘Extra USMC Artillery Personnel’
Two more ‘Grunts’ to help complete the scene... One
marine carries more shells forward while a kneeling Marine radio operator
relays coordinates and instructions from H.Q. for more ‘fire-missions’.
AVAILABLE: Late May
Special Note: The special ‘half-moon’ sandbag
revetment will be available in June plus a set of extra ammo as well
as discarded empty shell cases is also ‘in the works’.
AVAILABLE: Late May
H.
‘To The
Streets of Olde London’
Although Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous
detective creation was Mr. Sherlock Holmes several other sleuths also
appeared in his novels to occasionally assist (and sometimes hamper) the
great detective in his work and criminal deliberations.
Among the most famous were...
WoD066 ‘Inspectors Lestrade & Bradstreet of
Scotland Yard’
In fiction Lestrade appears in no less than 13
of the Sherlock Holmes tales and is described as ‘one of Scotland Yard’s
finest detectives’. That being
said he is often portrayed as solid, reliable but lacking the almost
superhuman knowledge and imagination of Holmes himself. However, he’s always
useful as a ‘good man to have around’ in a difficult or violent
situation.
Lestrade’s contemporary and fellow Scotland Yard detective
is ‘Inspector Bradstreet’, who worked out of Bow Street Police
Station and was member of the Metropolitan Police’s ‘B’ Division.
Physically, he is a contrast to the slim, slightly built
Lestrade – Bradstreet is big and well-built and often wears a tweed suit
which might indicate a more rural upbringing and early life.
Both fictional detectives have also appeared in several
films and television series about Mr. Holmes & Dr. Watson’s many
adventures.
AVAILABLE: Late May
And that, my friends, is the story so far as May is
concerned. However, there’s also this interesting little list of ‘retirements’
and ‘end-of-the-run remainders’ that definitely needs
looking into...
2. BEING
RETIRED...
AF027
Sitting Mechanic
AG017
Persian Standard Bearer
AG020
Persian Archer Firing
AL092
Skippy the Mascot & His Handler
CE010
Marching Guardsman w/Rifle
DD189
Valentine MK III
DD223
M3A3 “Stuart” Light Tank
DD225
US M20 Armoured Car
FoB075
Blitz Police Constable
FoB130
Private Frazer
FoB133
Private Godfrey
FW198
WW1 Military Policemen
FW210
German Officer w/Field Telephone
FW211
German Grenadier
FW217
German 77mm Field Gun Set
3. END
OF THE RUN REMAINDERS
More WOD items are added for your selection.
Thanks once more for your continued support and enthusiasm
and let us know your thoughts, ideas and suggestions going forward. They are
always welcome!
In the meantime... stay safe,
stay healthy and enjoy your collections.
Happy Collecting!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder &
Creative Director
King & Country Ltd.